The Chelsea forward, 23, was taken off at half-time of Friday night’s win over Belgium with what was described as a hamstring problem.
Manager Sarina Wiegman said after the game the decision came because they “didn’t take any risks” but the issue is severe enough to rule her out of Tuesday’s reverse fixture.
She will instead return to Chelsea to begin her rehabilitation with Tottenham Hotspur winger Naz replacing her and joining the squad at St. George’s Park before they fly to Belgium on Sunday.
Chelsea have a number of key fixtures in the coming weeks — including two semi-final legs against Barcelona in the Champions League — as they chase a quadruple of trophies.
They top the Women’s Super League with four games remaining and are into the FA Cup semi-finals having already lifted the League Cup.
James’ England team-mates Lucy Bronze, Millie Bright, Aggie Beever-Jones and Keira Walsh were all on the scoresheet as England comfortably ran out 5-0 winners at Ashton Gate in Bristol.
Wiegman’s side sit top of Nations League League A Group 3 ahead of Tuesday’s reverse fixture in Leuven with world champions Spain second.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
Chelsea, England, UK Women's Football
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